Euro 2024: Winning the tournament is still our aim – Gareth Southgate ahead of final against Spain

England’s head coach Gareth Southgate said they came into Euro 2024 with the aim of winning the tournament and it is still their main goal. The Three Lions qualified for their second consecutive Euro final after they defeated the Netherlands by 2-1 in the semifinal clash.

England haven’t come up with convincing performances but they have always found a way to hang on. Southgate’s men have been under the pump for their performance and found themselves on the elimination gates on a couple of occasions in the ongoing Euro 2024 but they have somehow kept themselves alive.

England was able to bounce back strongly against Slovakia and Switzerland and also came from behind against the Netherlands.

Euro 2024 final is the first time when England has qualified for the major event final while playing outside their country.

“I took the job to try to improve English football and we’re now in a second final. The last one was the first in over 50 years. We’re now in a first one overseas. We’re giving people amazing nights. We’ve given our supporters some of the best nights in the last 50 years. I’m hugely proud of that,” Southgate said after the match against the Netherlands.

“I’m delighted if everyone at home is feeling the way we are and the way those in the stadium were. But we’re not finished. We’ve got the greatest possible test to prepare for. We came here to try to win the tournament and that’s still our aim,” he added.

Meanwhile, England faced a lot of criticism for their performance however Southgate feels making it to the back-to-back Euro final is special.

“We all want to be loved, right? When you’re doing something for your country, you’re a proud Englishman – you don’t feel that back and all you read is criticism, it’s hard,” said Southgate.

“To be able to celebrate a second final is very special. If I had not been on the grass, I would have been watching and celebrating like (the fans) were.

“I’m the one that has to pick a team so to be able to give them a night like tonight was very special. We have come here to win and play the team who have been the best in the tournament [in the final]. But we’re still here and fighting,” he concluded.

The final will be played in Berlin on Sunday.